Most shoes are designed around two simple questions: how far and how fast?
At Arc’teryx, they both take a backseat to a third query that maintains its status, first and foremost, as a climbing brand. How high?
First introduced in 2018, Arc’teryx’s go-to approach shoe looks to answer the question with its most refined and capable version to date.
The streamlined Konseal takes what worked well on the 2019 Konseal AR, such as the U-throat design, while optimizing other aspects for traversing alpine environments with ease and efficiency.
Crag cred
The first of these adjustments takes place on the outsole, where the specific compound, Vibram XS Flash 2, comes from rock climbing, not hiking.
If that alone doesn’t inspire confidence in its vertical prowess, rest assured that the lug pattern in the forefoot and heel are designed for maximum traction on uneven surfaces — a boon on both ascents and descents.
